Industrial Technology

More data, at quicker speeds â€“ serial communication to TCP/IP

In a data-driven world, turning data into actions is the best way to boost efficiency. As businesses become more global and complex, operational data must travel across greater distances, at faster speeds and in larger quantities. Here, JÃ¼rgen Resch, industry manager at Copa-Data, examines why manufacturers should move their information systems from serial communication to TCP/IP.

6th September 2021

Cleaning up rail power

A British solar power company is developing a technology that could use solar energy to power the UK’s railways. While such innovations will be vital in supporting the Government’s targets for greener rail transportation, here, Joshua Piccaver, electrical design engineer at power resistor manufacturer, Cressall, investigates why existing power technologies — like regenerative braking — shouldn’t be overlooked.

6th September 2021

VSDs versus soft starters â€“ a guide to choosing the right efficiency equipment

Approximately eight billion electric motors are in operation in Europe, consuming nearly half of all the continent’s electricity. Variable speed drives (VSDs) and soft starters provide ways to reduce the energy consumption of a motor by providing operators with control over their power. But which is the most appropriate choice? Here, Marek Lukaszczyk of WEG Europe and Middle East gives his advice for choosing a VSD or soft starter.

6th September 2021

From component supplier to system supplier in the automation process

Successful motion system implementation involves more than just the purchase of advanced positioning stages and control systems. As a manufacturer of automation systems, motion control specialist Aerotech provides its customers with holistic support for high-precision and industry-specific automation processes. In this interview, Aerotech managing director Norbert Ludwig and Brian O'Connor, Vice President Marketing, explain the choice customers have between a pure component solution, a customised motion subsystem and a fully integrated system.

6th September 2021

What to consider when setting up a dispensing application

When purchasing dispensing equipment for an adhesives process, part of the decision making will include return on investment (ROI). Here Kevin Cook, technical manager at adhesives specialist Intertronics, discusses how ROI can be achieved from an investment in dispensing equipment and automation.

6th September 2021

Stromag clutches ensure reliable torque transmission for marine gearbox in large ferry

When a major Chinese manufacturer of marine propulsion systems needed a robust clutch to integrate into a roll-on-roll-off ferry gearbox, it turned to Stromag for a compact, high performance, low maintenance solution.

6th September 2021

Flexible feed-throughs for M12 and M12 power

Binder announces new control cabinet feed-through connectors for the M12 product series 713, 813, 814, 823 and 824, which are available with different codings and pin counts. The M12 or M12 Power type components – in accordance with the DIN EN 61076-2-111 standard – allow signal, data, and supply cables to be connected using circular connectors of the same type from the respective series. They are equipped with an M12 locking thread and an M16 mounting thread.

3rd September 2021

New Elesa linear actuators for robotics and machine tools

New Elesa GN 291 series linear actuators are especially designed for the arduous conditions of robotic and machine tool applications, where they offer smooth accurate operation over repetitive work cycles for long task periods. GN 291 series are also valuable for a wide range of situations such as window operation or solar panel adjustment, printers, spray equipment, valve control or computer-managed systems.

3rd September 2021

Delivering high quality surgical treatment at a lower cost

Modern trends towards high volume surgery centres enable the costs of the most advanced surgical hand tool technologies to be amortised across high numbers of patients. But not every hospital has such luxury of choice, and for the companies targeting this market, the cost of components such as electric motors becomes a key design consideration.

3rd September 2021

Tips for choosing a 3D vision system

With four times as many as colour receptors as humans, the Mantis shrimp has the most impressive eyes in nature. Manufacturers have long relied on human vision for complex picking and assembly processes, but 3D vision systems are beginning to replicate the capability of human vision in robotics. Here, Nigel Smith, managing director of Shibaura Machine, formerly Toshiba Machine partner, TM Robotics, gives three rules to live by when choosing a 3D vision system for manufacturing.

3rd September 2021